Happy Birthday Matthew Henson

“I think I'm the first man to sit on top of the world” - Matthew Henson

(Matthew Henson)

Matthew Henson was born in Nanjemoy, Maryland, USA on August 8th, 1866. Henson’s mother died when he was 2 years old. Later his father died and Henson was sent to live with his uncle in Washington D.C., USA. At 12 years old Henson moved to Baltimore, MD. While in Maryland he became a cabin boy on a merchant ship. In November of 1887 he met commander Robert E. Peary. Henson was recruited by Peary as an aide for a surveying expedition to Nicaragua.

(Henson as a young man)

Peary was impressed with Henson on that expedition so Peary made Henson his 1st man in his expeditions. For more than 20 years their expeditions were to the Arctic. Henson traded with the Inuit natives and mastered their language. They called him Mahri-Pahluk. He was a skilled craftsman, and he came up with solutions for what the team needed in the harsh Arctic conditions. In 1908 Peary mounted his eighth attempt to reach the North Pole. Peary selected Henson and four Inuit natives as part of the team of six who would make the final run to the North Pole.

(Henson (Right) with his associates)

Henson was set as a scout after Peary fell ill and couldn't go on. Henson reached the North Pole and placed the American flag. Henson became the 1st man to reach the North Pole. In 1909 Henson was honored within the Black community but as a whole his contributions were ignored. In 1912 Henson published a memoir of his arctic exploration. For the next 30 years Henson worked in the U.S. Customs House in New York. In 1947 he collaborated with Bradley Robinson to write Henson’s biography Dark Companion. In 1937 Henson was admitted as a member to the prestigious Explorers Club in New York City. In 1944 Henson was awarded with the Peary Polar Expedition Medal.

(Henson (Right) at the White House)

On March 9th, 1955 Matthew Henson passed away in The Bronx, New York. He was 88 years old.

(Henson later in life)

Today is his 151st birthday and we would all like to say happy birthday and rest in peace Matthew Henson.

Books relating to Matthew Henson

• A Black Explorer at the North Pole (1912) by Matthew Henson
• Dark Companion: The Story of Matthew Henson (1947) by Bradley Robinson

Happy Birthday Iman Abdulmajid

“A self-esteem issue doesn't change whether you're considered beautiful or not because it's about what's inside you” - Iman Abdulmajid

(Iman Abdulmajid)

Iman Abdulmajid was born as Zara Abdulmajid on July 25th, 1955 in Mogadishu, Somalia. She was renamed “Iman” due to her grandfather’s request.

(Abdulmajid as a child)

At 4 years old she was sent to boarding school in Egypt. During her younger years their family would frequently travel to Kenya. Iman attended the University of Nairobi and studied political science. In 1976 had her first modeling assignment for Vogue. Iman was an instant success in the fashion world due to her long neck, tall stature, slender figure, fine features, copper toned skin, and exotic accent.

(Abdulmajid in 1976)

Iman worked with many notable photographers. In 1979 she appeared in the movie The Human Factor.

(Abdulmajid in 1979)

In 1985 she appeared in the movie Back in the World. Also in 1985 she appeared in Out of Africa.

(Abdulmajid in Out of Africa (1985))

In 1987 she appeared in No Way Out. Also in 1987 she appeared in Surrender. In 1988 she appeared in the movie Love At First Sight. She also appeared in the TV show “In the Heat of the Night”. In 1991 she appeared in Lies of the Twins, Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country and House Party 2.

(Abdulmajid (Center) with Kid (Left) and Play (Right) in House Party 2 (1991))

In 1992 she married David Bowie. Also in 1992 she appeared in Michael Jackson’s music video, “Remember the Time”.

(Abdulmajid (Right) with Eddie Murphy (Center) and Michael Jackson (Left))

In 1994 she started her own cosmetics firm. Also in 1994 she appeared in Exit to Eden. In 1999 she appeared in the video game “Omikron: The Nomad Soul”. In 2001 she released the book I Am Iman.

(Abdulmajid in 2001)

In the mid 2000’s Iman spent 2 years as the host of “Project Runway Canada”. In 2005 she released the book The Beauty of Color. In 2007 she introduced her clothing line.

(Abdulmajid in 2007)

In 2010 her firm was a $25 million a year business. Also in 2010 she began hosting the second season of “The Fashion Show”. She then received a “Fashion Icon” lifetime achievement award from the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA).

(Abdulmajid in 2010)

In 2012 Iman signed fellow Somali designers Ayaan and Idyl Mohallim for her cosmetics line.

(Abdulmajid in 2016)

Today she turns 62 years old and we would all like to say happy birthday Iman Abdulmajid.

Films featuring Iman Abdulmajid

• The Human Factor (1979) as Sarah
• Exposed (1983) as model
• Out of Africa (1985) as Mariammo
• No Way Out (1987) as Nina
• Surrender (1987) as Hedy
• House Party 2 (1991) as Sheila Landreaux
• Lies of the Twins (1991) as Cat/Elie
• L.A. Story (1991) as Cynthia
• Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (1991) as Martia
• The Linguini Incident (1991) as Dali Guest
• Exit to Eden (1994) as Nina

TV Shows featuring Iman Abdulmajid

• “Miami Vice” (1984-1989) as Dakotah
• “The Cosby Show” (1984-1992) as Mrs. Montgomery
• “In the Heat of the Night” (1988-1992) as Marie Babineaux
• “227” (1985-1990) as Eartha Kitten
• “Project Runway Canada” (2007-2009) as herself
• “The Fashion Show: Ultimate Collection” (2009-2011) as herself

Books by Iman Abdulmajid

• I am Iman (2001)

The Beauty of Color (2005)

Anniversary of Matthew Henson's Death

“I think I'm the first man to sit on top of the world” - Matthew Henson

(Matthew Henson)

Matthew Henson was born in Nanjemoy, Maryland, USA on August 8th, 1866. Henson’s mother died when he was 2 years old. Later his father died and Henson was sent to live with his uncle in Washington D.C., USA. At 12 years old Henson moved to Baltimore, MD. While in Maryland he became a cabin boy on a merchant ship. In November of 1887 he met commander Robert E. Peary. Henson was recruited by Peary as an aide for a surveying expedition to Nicaragua.

(Henson as a young man)

Peary was impressed with Henson on that expedition so Peary made Henson his 1st man in his expeditions. For more than 20 years their expeditions were to the Arctic. Henson traded with the Inuit natives and mastered their language. They called him Mahri-Pahluk. He was a skilled craftsman, and he came up with solutions for what the team needed in the harsh Arctic conditions. In 1908 Peary mounted his eighth attempt to reach the North Pole. Peary selected Henson and four Inuit natives as part of the team of six who would make the final run to the North Pole.

(Henson (Right) with his associates)

Henson was set as a scout after Peary fell ill and couldn't go on. Henson reached the North Pole and placed the American flag. Henson became the 1st man to reach the North Pole. In 1909 Henson was honored within the Black community but as a whole his contributions were ignored. In 1912 Henson published a memoir of his arctic exploration. For the next 30 years Henson worked in the U.S. Customs House in New York. In 1947 he collaborated with Bradley Robinson to write Henson’s biography Dark Companion. In 1937 Henson was admitted as a member to the prestigious Explorers Club in New York City. In 1944 Henson was awarded with the Peary Polar Expedition Medal.

(Henson (Right)with President Dwight Eisenhower (Left))

On March 9th, 1955 Matthew Henson passed away in The Bronx, New York. He was 88 years old.

(Henson in 1944)

Today is the 62nd anniversary of his death. Take time to remember this great explorer today.

Books relating to Matthew Henson

• A Black Explorer at the North Pole (1912) by Matthew Henson
• Dark Companion: The Story of Matthew Henson (1947) by Bradley Robinson

Happy Birthday Matthew Henson

“I think I'm the first man to sit on top of the world” - Matthew Henson

(Matthew Henson)

Matthew Henson was born in Nanjemoy, Maryland, USA on August 8th, 1866. Henson’s mother died when he was 2 years old. Later his father died and Henson was sent to live with his uncle in Washington D.C., USA. At 12 years old Henson moved to Baltimore, MD. While in Maryland he became a cabin boy on a merchant ship. In November of 1887 he met commander Robert E. Peary. Henson was recruited by Peary as an aide for a surveying expedition to Nicaragua.

(Henson as a young man)

Peary was impressed with Henson on that expedition so Peary made Henson his 1st man in his expeditions. For more than 20 years their expeditions were to the Arctic. Henson traded with the Inuit natives and mastered their language. They called him Mahri-Pahluk. He was a skilled craftsman, and he came up with solutions for what the team needed in the harsh Arctic conditions. In 1908 Peary mounted his eighth attempt to reach the North Pole. Peary selected Henson and four Inuit natives as part of the team of six who would make the final run to the North Pole.

(Henson (Right) with his associates)

Henson was set as a scout after Peary fell ill and couldn't go on. Henson reached the North Pole and placed the American flag. Henson became the 1st man to reach the North Pole. In 1909 Henson was honored within the Black community but as a whole his contributions were ignored. In 1912 Henson published a memoir of his arctic exploration. For the next 30 years Henson worked in the U.S. Customs House in New York. In 1947 he collaborated with Bradley Robinson to write Henson’s biography Dark Companion. In 1937 Henson was admitted as a member to the prestigious Explorers Club in New York City. In 1944 Henson was awarded with the Peary Polar Expedition Medal.

(Henson (Right) at the White House)

On March 9th, 1955 Matthew Henson passed away in The Bronx, New York. He was 88 years old.

(Henson later in life)

Today is his 150th birthday and we would all like to say happy birthday and rest in peace Matthew Henson.

Books relating to Matthew Henson

• A Black Explorer at the North Pole (1912) by Matthew Henson
• Dark Companion: The Story of Matthew Henson (1947) by Bradley Robinson

(P.S. sorry for the late post)

Happy Birthday Iman Abdulmajid

“A self-esteem issue doesn't change whether you're considered beautiful or not because it's about what's inside you” - Iman Abdulmajid

(Iman Abdulmajid)

Iman Abdulmajid was born as Zara Abdulmajid on July 25th, 1955 in Mogadishu, Somalia. She was renamed “Iman” due to her grandfather’s request.

(Abdulmajid as a child)

At 4 years old she was sent to boarding school in Egypt. During her younger years their family would frequently travel to Kenya. Iman attended the University of Nairobi and studied political science. In 1976 had her first modeling assignment for Vogue. Iman was an instant success in the fashion world due to her long neck, tall stature, slender figure, fine features, copper toned skin, and exotic accent.

(Abdulmajid in 1976)

Iman worked with many notable photographers. In 1979 she appeared in the movie The Human Factor.

(Abdulmajid in 1979)

In 1985 she appeared in the movie Back in the World. Also in 1985 she appeared in Out of Africa.

(Abdulmajid in Out of Africa (1985))

In 1987 she appeared in No Way Out. Also in 1987 she appeared in Surrender. In 1988 she appeared in the movie Love At First Sight. She also appeared in the TV show “In the Heat of the Night”. In 1991 she appeared in Lies of the Twins, Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country and House Party 2.

(Abdulmajid (Center) with Kid (Left) and Play (Right) in House Party 2 (1991))

In 1992 she married David Bowie. Also in 1992 she appeared in Michael Jackson’s music video, “Remember the Time”.

(Abdulmajid (Right) with Eddie Murphy (Center) and Michael Jackson (Left))

In 1994 she started her own cosmetics firm. Also in 1994 she appeared in Exit to Eden. In 1999 she appeared in the video game “Omikron: The Nomad Soul”. In 2001 she released the book I Am Iman.

(Abdulmajid in 2001)

In the mid 2000’s Iman spent 2 years as the host of “Project Runway Canada”. In 2005 she released the book The Beauty of Color. In 2007 she introduced her clothing line.

(Abdulmajid in 2007)

In 2010 her firm was a $25 million a year business. Also in 2010 she began hosting the second season of “The Fashion Show”. She then received a “Fashion Icon” lifetime achievement award from the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA).

(Abdulmajid in 2010)

In 2012 Iman signed fellow Somali designers Ayaan and Idyl Mohallim for her cosmetics line.

(Abdulmajid in 2016)

Today she turns 61 years old and we would all like to say happy birthday Iman Abdulmajid.

Films featuring Iman Abdulmajid

• The Human Factor (1979) as Sarah
• Exposed (1983) as model
• Out of Africa (1985) as Mariammo
• No Way Out (1987) as Nina
• Surrender (1987) as Hedy
• House Party 2 (1991) as Sheila Landreaux
• Lies of the Twins (1991) as Cat/Elie
• L.A. Story (1991) as Cynthia
• Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (1991) as Martia
• The Linguini Incident (1991) as Dali Guest
• Exit to Eden (1994) as Nina

TV Shows featuring Iman Abdulmajid

• “Miami Vice” (1984-1989) as Dakotah
• “The Cosby Show” (1984-1992) as Mrs. Montgomery
• “In the Heat of the Night” (1988-1992) as Marie Babineaux
• “227” (1985-1990) as Eartha Kitten
• “Project Runway Canada” (2007-2009) as herself
• “The Fashion Show: Ultimate Collection” (2009-2011) as herself

Books by Iman Abdulmajid

• I am Iman (2001)
• The Beauty of Color (2005)

(P.S sorry for the late post)